Activision Publishing Inc. will unveil the new Skylanders SuperChargers Dark Edition at Comic-Con International: San Diego, and attendees will be among the first consumers to play the game with dark versions of the Starter Pack characters. They include Dark Turbo Charge Donkey Kong with the Dark Barrel Blaster land vehicle, Dark Hammer Slam Bowser with the Dark Clown Cruiser sky vehicle, and Stealth Elf in a new Dark version.

Disney Publishing Worldwide also supports the show with a new book program and series of mobile apps from Disney Lucasfilm Press that will expand upon the series. Star WarsJourneys, an episodic series of apps from Disney Publishing, will be updated this October to include the stories that lead up to the adventures in Star Wars Rebels. Star WarsScene Maker will launch early next year and gives fans a storytelling experience that allows them to re-imagine and recreate scenes from the show. [Read more...]

Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy products are available now at national retailers, specialty stores, Marvel.com, Disney store locations nationwide, and DisneyStore.com. The movie opens in theaters on August 1.

KISS and Rubie’s Costume Company have announced a worldwide licensing deal to re-create the iconic style of the blazing band that is always “Dressed to Kill.” KISS costumes, masks, wigs, and accessories for adults and children will ensure that the notorious Starchild, Demon, Spaceman, and Catman slay the scariest night of the year.

Legendary KISS is famous for its explosive live performances and outrageous rock and roll style. In a career spanning nearly four decades, the band has achieved record-breaking tours, album sales in excess of 100 million, a huge “KISS Army” fan base, and the most memorable look in all of rock history.

“I’ve always said you may not be able to look like KISS, but you can always feel like KISS. We’ve finally changed that, and I’m jazzed to see all the Starchilds and other KISS members in full uniform this year!” says Paul Stanley of KISS.

“With your new KISS costumes, you will release the Demon within you. You are the God of Thunder!” says Gene Simmons of KISS.

“We are extremely excited and honored to be selected to receive this distinctive award from the most recognizable and largest Internet retailer in the Halloween industry,” said Howard Beige, Rubie’s executive vice president.

“We have a great relationship with Rubie’s,” said Daniel Haight, president and CEO of BuySeasons. “They deliver on all of the things you would expect from a partner of the year: great costumes, quality products, and timely delivery. Above all else though, their ability to react and work with us to develop new costumes that reflect the most recent trends in pop culture has been a Halloween game changer.”

Rubie’s Costume Co., Inc. has obtained the license to create products for preschool property Chuggington. The CGI-animated series debuted in the U.S. in January and airs daily on Disney Channel’s Playhouse Disney programming block. Each episode has an entertaining storyline that also teaches social readiness lessons.

Hallmark will release a lineup of Christmas 2010 ornaments based on the Star Trek property, including Captain Kirk, Spock, Kirk vs. Spock/“Amok Time,” and the U.S.S. Enterprise from the 2009 movie. Hallmark is also giving a sneak peak at its holiday 2011 prototypes.

IDW‘s lineup of new graphic novels and comic books will include those based on Star Trek, while Rocket World has announced the release of limited-edition Starfleet I.W.G. figurines that feature Original Series accessories. Rubie’s will release a new series of The Original Series, The Next Generation, and Star Trek costumes including a Gorn mask and Spock romper, and to promote its Starfleet Academy young adult books, due out in December, Simon and Schuster is handing out postcards for advanced reader copies.

Rubie’s Costume Company has been awarded the license for Lady Gaga, licensed by Bravado International Group. Lady Gaga, the world famous pop-star and musician, is known for her wild collection of outfits. Her signature styles include the wearing of colorful and blonde wigs of all length and styles and her unique couture costumes.

Rubie’s is now the worldwide licensee of Lady Gaga Halloween Costumes and Accessories. The announcement was made today by Howard Beige, executive vice president of Rubie’s. “We are extremely excited to put out the only officially licensed Halloween costumes for an amazing talent like Lady GaGa,” said Beige. Rubie’s will be producing these items in its factories around the world to ensure delivery for this Halloween.

New Products

Marvel’s Ant-Man is still going strong in theaters, and so is Disney Consumer Products’ (DCP) and Marvel‘s Ant-Man product collection. The lineup includes costumes, construction sets, action figures, and more from licensees such as Hasbro, LEGO, Funko, Hot Wheels, Rubie’s Costume Co., and Uncle Milton.

Skechers USA Inc. has partnered with Jakks Pacific Inc. to launch a new line of dolls based on Skechers’ popular Twinkle Toes character. The initial launch includes four unique dolls that stand 6.5 inches in height, and are dressed in colorful, fashion-forward outfits and light-up Skechers Twinkle Toes shoes.

LeapFrog Enterprises Inc. will release three new preschool toys—the Number Lovin’ Oven and Scout’s Build & Discover Tool Set, which offer pretend play experiences that teach math and measurement, respectively—and the Word Whammer, a phonics game that prepares children for kindergarten in an active way.

Now available from VTech, Flipsies combine traditional role play with collectible dolls and accessories, as well as VTech’s proprietary MagicPoint interactive technology. The line offers a variety of ways to play and has eight introductory themes that encourage girls to be anything they want to be, whether it’s a doctor, a marine biologist, a teacher, [...]

Merchantwise, ITV Studios Global Entertainment’s appointed licensing agency in Australia, has announced strong toy and DVD sales, as well as a host of new licensing and retail partners, for the TV series Thunderbirds Are Go in Australia.